Norton, Kaspersky and ESET also make antivirus software, and many antivirus products have parental controls built in. To see how well those controls stack up against the stand-alone services, please see our overview of the best and worst antivirus software for parents. All of these apps can do more on Android than they can on iOS, due to Apple's tight restrictions. A couple of the apps were in fact crippled by Apple in mid, and although they later had much of their functionality restored, Apple could yank the rug out from them again at any time.
So if you're really serious about keeping tabs on what your kids are doing and to whom they're talking online, get them Android phones. Just be wary of any parental control app that you have to sideload -- there's usually a reason it isn't in the official Google Play store. Among all the parental-control apps we tried, it comes closest to having feature parity between its iOS and Android versions.
Its iOS abilities don't seem to have been affected by recent Apple policy changes. Net Nanny can track your child's location, display their location history, and set time allowances and schedules equally well on both platforms. The iOS version lets you block several dozen apps on your kid's phone; the Android one lets you block them all. The only thing Net Nanny can't do on a smartphone is monitor calls or texts.
No apps we tested can do that on iOS, but several do on Android. Read our full Net Nanny Parental Control review. Norton Family Premier's power and features are ideal for Android and Windows households with many children, offering nearly every feature a parent could want from one of the best parental control apps. This service's location-tracking, time-scheduling, and web-filtering and -monitoring capabilities work on both iOS and Android, but Norton's time allowances are only for its Windows and Android software.
App management and text-message monitoring don't work in the iOS app at all. There's no geofencing on either mobile platform. At that price, getting Norton Family Premier along with Norton's excellent antivirus protection is a no-brainer, unless your kids use Macs instead of Windows PCs. Read our full Norton Family Premier review. Kaspersky's location tracking and geofencing work in both iOS and Android, as do its web monitoring and device scheduling.
But app management is limited on iOS, and the iOS app can't monitor calls or texts at all.
Still, if you don't feel a need to read your kids' text messages, then Kaspersky Safe Kids is well worth considering. In March , Kaspersky Lab filed an antitrust complaint against Apple for allegedly forcing the removal of some features from Kaspersky Safe Kids. Apple hinted in June that it might relax some of its tighter restrictions on iOS parental-control apps with iOS 13, but we haven't yet seen anything different and Kaspersky's complaint is ongoing.
Read our full Kaspersky Safe Kids review. Qustodio has software for Macs, PCs, iOS and Android devices and Amazon Fire tablets, and it lets you set time limits for individual apps and individual devices.
This service's limited location tracking works on both iOS and Android, and Qustodio finally added a geofencing option in the fall of A Family Locator feature that shows you where all your kids are at once was added in September You can manage only a few dozen apps on iOS, as opposed to all Android apps.
Web filtering is more powerful on iOS, while monitoring texts and calls works on only Android.
Read our full Qustodio review. Once the most powerful parental-control app for iPhones, OurPact was hobbled by an Apple rule change in late that nixed the service's geofencing, location tracking and time allowances on iOS. At its peak, OurPact was the only parental-control app we tested that could manage or block any iOS app. It can still do so for Android devices. OurPact also gets kids involved in managing the daily allowance of screen time that you give them, and it does a good job of scheduling.
Yet, its website filtering simply blocks porn, and it can't monitor calls or texts at all, even on Android. However, you can block messaging apps, and OurPact remains a joy to use. Read our full OurPact review.
See FAQ 4. View Remotely Log in from any device to see all recorded data in an easy to use online interface. See all activity including texts, photos, website history and more, all organized in your secure online account. WebWatcher sets the bar with its award-winning parental monitoring software. To ensure proper use, we require that the user has both physical and password access. Frequently Asked Questions.
Jailbreaking is not only complicated, but also voids the device's warranty, and if the device upgrades to a newer version of iOS in the future, the jailbreak will be wiped out. Beware of competitors that require you to "jailbreak" the target device. While we make every effort to upgrade to be compatible with new operating systems, WebWatcher cannot guarantee compatibility with future operating systems. YES — Access to the iPhone will be needed one time to complete setup.
Data will back up as long as the device and the computer are on the same wifi network at the time of the backup request. These deleted text messages include those that have been removed prior to the latest backup. WebWatcher is also compatible with Android tablets running Android 2. YES - An individual license is required for every device computer or phone that you are authorized to monitor.
Volume discounts are available on orders of 3 or more licenses. After purchasing multiple licenses, recorded data for all can be viewed together in the same secure online account. Compatibility WebWatcher is guaranteed to be compatible with all operating systems listed below.
The iOS devices compatible with the app include iPhones and iPads. To install the app on an iPhone, you do not require physical access to the device.
To monitor the device remotely, you only need the iCloud credentials, including the Apple ID and the password. However, if the two-factor-authentication is enabled on the device, you require physical access to the device for installation. Home top 10 iphone spy apps. Compatibility One of the many reasons why Xnspy iPhone spying app is at the top of this list is its eclectic compatibility with iPhone. Basic Premium The two packages are available for monthly, quarterly, and yearly subscriptions.
This iPhone 11 Pro spy app offers compatibility with new and old iOS versions. It is affordable when compared with other cell phone spying apps. Features like remote call and ambient recording, remote device lock, data wipe, etc. Cons Kik messages can only be accessed on the No-Jailbreak version. Rating: 9. Buy Now. FlexiSpy FlexiSpy is among the top spy apps for cell phone monitoring.
Compatibility The app is compatible with the device that supports iOS 9. Price FlexiSpy has two subscription plans for iOS devices. Pros Offers the most number of features Allows the user to monitor multiple devices at the same time Cons Subscription plans are expensive Need physical access to an iPhone for installation Cannot be installed on the latest iOS devices Rating: 8. Compatibility As far as the compatibility with the iPhone is concerned, mSpy is compatible but it would require you to jailbreak your iPhone before installing it.
Price Like Xnspy, mSpy also offers two different packages on the basis of features. Basic Premium These packages have been divided into monthly, quarterly, and yearly subscriptions. Spyzie Spyzie is another reliable spying app in the market with several features under its name.
Compatibility The app is compatible with the iPhone. Price This is perhaps its major attraction. Pros This iCloud spying app be without installing the software Location tracking features are accurate It is affordable Cons It lacks advanced features on the iPhone. Highster Mobile Highster offers all the major spying features but lacks the compatibility with the iPhone. Compatibility The app is compatible with all iOS versions. Price Price is higher than its competitors.
Pros The interface is responsive and user-friendly. The app also offers a day money back guarantee. Cons The app does not have a call recording feature. The installation and operations are complicated. There is only one package for iPhone monitoring. SpyEra This is a mid-range Apple spying app that has all the basic features from tracking instant messengers to call logs. Compatibility SpyEra lacks the compatibility for iOS Price SpyEra is very expensive.
Pros SpyEra app offers all the basic as well as advanced features You can even spy on camera using this spyware Cons The app is very expensive. Even the yearly package of Xnspy costs less than its three-months package The app is not compatible with the iOS 11, hence not supporting any latest iPhone models You would need to jailbreak your phone to install the SpyEra app. GuestSpy What if the person you want to monitor has an old iPhone model?
Compatibility The compatibility of the app is limited and this is the major reason why GuestSpy is on number 8th on this list. Price Considering its limited compatibility, you can expect a lower price than other high-end apps. Pros The remote access to the camera of target phone allows you to see the pictures The app is free for the first 48 hours. Cons It requires physical access to the phone for installing the app.
The target iPhone needs to be jailbroken before the installation.